Top Free Holiday Events In Denver
Breckenridge ULLR Festival (credit: Carl Scofield)Ah, everyone's favorite time of year: the holidays. It's time to think about shopping and everything else that comes along with this time of year. With all of the spending that goes on, it's nice to be able to find cost effective activities the whole family can enjoy. Here are some great, free events in and around Denver this Winter.
1010 Washington Ave.
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 279-3113
http://www.colorado.com/events/olde-golden-christmas-0
Nov. 2 - Dec. 31, 2015
Each year, the town of Golden celebrates the holiday season by hosting a variety of events and other activities throughout the downtown area. These events include free horse-drawn carriage rides, a candlelit walk, parades, and of course, people singing Christmas carols. There's nothing better than an authentic hometown Christmas experience and Golden does a great job creating that cozy feeling.
1437 Bannock St.
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 337-2000
www.downtowndenver.com/Grand_Illumination
Nov. 27th at 6 p.m. through the end of the year
The annual Grand Illumination is one of the most popular events in Denver. Union Station, The City and County Building, and other places in between (like 16th Street Mall and Skyline Park) flip on the holiday lights the Friday after Thanksgiving and turn them on every evening around 6:30. These buildings and places will be lit up until the end of the year, so you'll have more than a month to make it down and see just how much more beautiful our city gets in the winter.
16th Street Mall
Denver, CO 80202
www.denver.org/Parade_Of_Lights
Dec. 4th at 8 p.m. and Dec. 5th at 6 p.m.
The annual Parade of Lights returns again for another great year. Floats, marching bands and a giant Santa will all be a part of one of Denver's best parades. Be sure to get there early, as most of the good viewing spots on the street fill up fast (check out this parade map so you can plan where you want to stand). Viewing from the street is free, but if you would like to purchase grandstand tickets, you can do so here.
203 S. Main St.
Breckenridge, CO 80424
(877) 864-0868
www.gobreck.com/ULLR_Fest
Jan. 13 - 16, 2016
This year, the town of Breckenridge will be hosting the 53rd annual ULLR Fest where patrons wear Viking hats, compete in Ullympic events (such as a frying pan toss), and have an all around party for three days in downtown Breck. The festival will also include a parade with floats, skiers taking on massive jumps in the downtown streets, and people in Viking hats riding around town in hot tubs. All of this is dedicated to Ullr, the Norse God of Winter, so head on up the hill, pay your respects, and join the 12,000 other people that will be partaking in the crazy weekend that is ULLR Fest.
Along with these four events, there are also a multitude of museum free days, art exhibitions and other fun holiday activities that will be put on throughout the season. Check out this list for more info and for some other events you may not have been aware of. Above all, have a safe, joyful and happy holiday season!
